But nothing lasts forever...

I stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas, mainly so I could get access to the library. I was planning to ask Professor Dumbledore about animagus transformations. I was talking to the librarian about whether we had any books on animagi, and she told me that we did, but they were in the restricted section. She explained that I needed a signed form from a teacher to be able to enter it.

So I thanked her, and went on my way to find Dumbledore, form in hand.

He was in his classroom, I could see the lamp light flickering inside through the windows...

I knocked, and opened the door, "Professor?" I asked, peeking around the inside, thoroughly expecting him to be at his desk, checking papers or something.

What I had not expected, however, was him to be leaning on his desk, hands running over someone else's back, and them kissing Dumbledore like there was no tomorrow.

I gawped, I didn't know what else to do.

Then to my horror, as both parties froze, taking in my voice, *Professor Dippet* stood up, and brushed his robes down.

I turned away almost immediately. "Sorry! I'll um, maybe come back later. Tomorrow. Next week. Good bye!"

I ran out of the room, and outside into the frosty evening air. What a fool I was! Of course Dumbledore was gay, one only needed to look at the garish way he dressed to tell her was gay. "Oh Minerva, what a fool you are!" I muttered to myself, tears pouring down my face

I heard footsteps coming from behind me, and hurried to dry my tears.

Looking away as the owner of the footsteps hurried down the front steps, I was surprised when they came to stop near me, and someone put a hand on my shoulder.

"Minerva?" Came a familiar voice.

I turned to see Dumbledore, now looking rather sheepish, but at least somewhat more respectable.

"Sir." I greeted him, turning red.

"I... uh, want to apologise for the ... state you found me in. It was unacceptable."

"No, no. I should have waited for the door to be opened, I ran into your room unannounced. Could you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me."

I nodded, and he smiled.

I looked away, trying to hold back a fresh batch of tears.

Dumbledore, seemingly unaware of my predicament, made himself comfy leaning against the wall. "I hope you don't think any the less of me, catching me like you did."

I could feel his gaze on me, and shook my head. "'Course not."

"That's good. Just for the record, I'm not usually like that. But I didn't know if my status as teacher would have been meddled with if I didn't kiss him back." Dumbledore stated.

"He kissed you?" I frowned.

Dumbledore nodded. "And it is rather hard to deny the headmaster a kiss. Wouldn't you think?"

I shook my head, flabbergasted. "I wouldn't really know sir, never having found myself in that... position before."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Quite right." He took a deep intake of breath, then let it out, watching the 'dragons fire' melt into the evening mist. "What was it you were coming to see me for, anyway?"

"Um... Oh, I was coming to ask if you could sign a slip for me to get a book on animagus transformations from the restricted section of the library."

Dumbledore smiled, "Of course. I should have realised you would be curious about animagi by now."

I turned my head, confused at what he found so humorous.

He smiled, resisting the urge to laugh, "Come inside, and I'll see what I can do." He beckoned.

When we arrived at his classroom; it was empty.

He laughed to himself, and strode up to his desk. After rummaging around for his quill (the papers were all a mess, and everything had fallen over) he sighed.

"Um.. Miss McGonagall. Could I...?" He gestured to my head.

I frowned and smiled, unsure of what he was asking, then out of the corner of my eyes saw the tip of my quill.

"Oh, of course!" I grabbed Romania's feather and handed it to Dumbledore. "It's self-inking." I reminded him, as he went to dip it in an inkwell.

"You really are too talented, my dear." He said, signing an elaborate signature on the pink slip of parchment.

I smiled, blushing; and looked around the room.

I only really knew it as my transfiguration classroom, and never before had noticed the odd gizmo's that were surrounding the teacher's desk.

An intricately carved box sat upon a coffee table, taking a few steps forward to take a closer look at it, I saw it was made of a light coloured wood, and had vines and flowers etched into it.

It was beautiful.

"Tap it with your wand." A voice said to me from close behind.

I did so, somewhat embarrassed for having been caught staring at his personal possessions; and gasped and the beauty of what lay inside.

It was a chess set, the pieces were made of the mahogany and beech wood; and also detailed with flowers and such.

The pawn's were tree stumps, surrounded by patches of grass, the castle's cliffs, with birds circling above them. The knights' were foxes. The bishops were rabbits, with a butterfly on their noses, and the king and queen the most beautiful trees. The queen was a willow, leaves all carved and decorated; the king an oak tree.

I could help but pick up a queen to look at the detail; they were...

"Amazing." I mused.

I heard Albus behind me chuckle. "I guess you like them."

"They're... they're..." I couldn't find the right word to describe it.

He chuckled again, and handed me the signed slip.

I carefully placed the chess piece down, handling it like china.

"Want to play a game?" Dumbledore asked, bringing a dark wooded chair to the coffee table.

"I... you... Wouldn't it break the pieces sir?"

"Hehe, Minerva!" He laughed, "We are witches and wizards, are we not?" He smiled, sitting down.

I blushed, then took the seat opposite him.